Being Strong!

My brother recently lost his wife quite suddenly and unexpectedly!  It was a shock to all of us.  I wanted to send him a Thinking of You card to let him know I'm keeping him in my prayers and thought each and everyday!

This is a CASE of a card designed by Liz Thayer for her class that I attended way back in the fall of 2013.  It has been lurking in my "To Do" stash of partially completed cards needing to be finished.  I made some of my own modifications and changes to enlarge the card, add a bit of sparkle, and change the sentiment as well.  I added a new Natural Ivory card base plus a dark brown glitter mat layer to the already existing Crumb Cake mat layer and my card became a thinking of you card rather than a thank you card.  I also decorated the inside and added my own computer-made verse.

I'm really pleased with the added layers and glitter paper.  It really dressed up the card a lot.  I think my brother will be pleased with his card and really like the inside verse, as it fits the occasion perfectly.  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Naturals Ivory, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue. Ink--Crumb Cake, Early Espresso. Stamps--Truly Grateful stamps (circle bg, acorns-2013 Holiday). Dies--Window Framelits Collection ((2013-14 Annual). Embossing Folder--Stylish Stripes. Festive Paper Piercing Pack. 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon. Linen Thread. Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Other:  Recollections Signature 12" Assorted Glitter Pad (dark brown). EK punch: Victorian Corner.

A Happy Day Birthday! (Paper Pumpkin--March 2021--"Here's to You" Alternative #3)

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products--Cardstocks/ Papers: Old Olvie, Pretty Peacock, Basic White, Copper Foil; Paper Pumpkin March 2021--Here's To You (scenes, die-cuts, dsp=envelope inserts, fussy-cut scene pieces). Stamps: Itty Bitty Birthdays. Die: Stitched Nested Labels. Ink: Early Espresso, Pretty Peacock, Old Olive, Seaside Spray. Embossing Folder: Subtle Dynamic Textured. Sequins: Artistry Blooms.  Other-- Colorbox Chestnut Roan pigment ink (inked edge distressing); Maya Arts Hemp Twine; Copic Markers (sky, water enhancement); Chatterbox verse (inside); Size: 4-3/4" x 6".

CARD STORY & CONSTRUCTION NOTES

My friend's birthday was yesterday while I am away at a crafting get-away with my long-time group of crafting buddies.  This hobby event has been a long time coming as the last was pre-COVID (over two years ago)!  Now that we've all been vaccinated, we've been anxiously awaiting getting together again! So, while I am here, my primary project was to make this needed birthday card.  I wanted to keep my crafting supplies to a minimum, so I've decided to take Paper Pumpkin kits that either were not finished or ones not started, along with their coordinating papers, inks, extra sentiment stamps, ribbon, and other embellishments that I might need.

For this first project, I decided to use a kit I had already made two alternative cards from...the Paper Pumpkin--March 2021 - Here's To You. It, of course, is Alternative Card #3.  I used the cloud-meadow scene that I have not yet used.  Like I did previously, I fussy-cut scenery parts to double layer these areas in the scene in order to add more depth, texture, and color. For this Alternative #3 card, I focused on the clouds, lake shadows, green trees, and meadow with flowers leading to the lake.  

Onto the fussy-cut pieces, I sponged on more ink for color depth, plus I ink-distressed the edges with the Colorbox Chestnut Roan ink that I loved to use when I want ink edge distressed this effect.  Notice that I sponged Pretty Peacock on several of the cloud formations and Old Olive onto the green trees before double layering them onto the scene.  I Copic-colored the fussy-cut lake shadows as I did not have an appropriate ink color to use and double layered them as well.  

Next, I embossed the card base front and the copper foil layer with the SU Subtle 3D embossing folder.  I really like the copper foil with this particular kit as it enriches and brightens the entire look of the completed card.  To finish, I added my trio of twines and adhered all layers including the card front together.  I stamped the sentiment, added the copper die-cut layer pieces, attached the sentiment layering, and finished with sequin embellishments.

October Birthday with Paper Pumpkin--March 2021--Here's to You Alternative #1!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products--  Cardstock/ Papers: Old Olive, Pretty Peacock, Basic White, Copper Foil, Paper Pumpkin March 2021 - Here's to You--envelope inserts used as dsp.  Stamps: Itty Bitty Birthdays.  Dies:  Layering Circles Framelits (circles/ scallops).  Ink: Pretty Peacock, Early Espresso.   Embossing Folder: Coastal Weave 3D.   Other--  Trim: Maya Arts Hemp Twine.  Punch: EK Medium Scallop Corners.  Chatterbox verse (computer).  Size: 4-3/4x6-1/4-inches.

THE CARD STORY WITH CONSTRUCTION NOTES!

I have many October birthdays and time has marched along at quite a steady pace, so I must get started before I'm late!  My plan is to make a series of Alternative Paper Pumpkin cards, based on the March 2021 kit, Here's To You.  Early on when I subscribed to Paper Pumpkin, my purpose and focus was to get myself back into my craft room by challenging myself to make alternative designs rather than those provided in the kit instructions. 

Though I was not enamored with this kit when it first came, it grew on me as ideas began to percolate.  I was gifted refill kit, which would help with those ideas.  I've fussy-cutting parts of kits in the past to add layering and depth and I've loved the look it gave.  I realized that with kits, what was missing for me was that depth which many kits to not give because flat pictures that are many times part of kit designs.  

I decided that this particular kit's mountain-sunrise scene could make a nice masculine card, but without the Petal Pink edging!  Ugh!  As I wrestled with design thoughts, I pulled cardstocks of the prescribed companion colors.  I really loved the greens, blues, and blue-greens with both scenes provided in the kit.  I also found Copper foil looked absolute marvelous with these color combinations and the kit elements.  I would definitely include them all!  Here is what I did:

1.  Use two mountain-sunrise scenes to accomplish the layering I used.  On both mountain-sunrise scenes, I chopped off the Petal Pink cardstock surrounding the scenes in order to work with just the scenes alone.

2.  On one scene, I fussy-cut and removed the sunrise from the mountains, preserving the mountains and below as the top layer of scene.  I ink distressed and sponged these mountains lightly with Pretty Peacock near the top and edges only.  This brought more color, shadowing, and depth, plus when I used to offset layering for the mountains, it would give the whole scene more texture, depth, and definition.  We'll call these "#2 mountains" when referring to them below.

3.  With the second trimmed mountain-sunrise scene, stamped a set of birds from the kit stamp set with Early Espresso ink.  Let dry!!  Using a sponging brush, add a little color to the edge of the mountains with the Pretty Peacock ink.  (This can be difficult on a flat surface.)  Let dry!! 

4.  Now, it is time to glue your "#2 mountains" onto this new scene by positioning the "#2 mountains" about 1/16" below the ones on the newly sponged scene.  Whoa is me, and then I made a mistake!  When trying to glue the mountain layering, I accidentally ink-smudged the sun!  I had to use a new bottom scene, and once again, position my mountain layering.  Be sure to let all inks dry before working with the piece.

5.  Die-cut the double layer scene, created in #4 above, with a 2-7/8" circle die making sure to position the die so the sunrise and rays are preserved at the top.  Remember it is thicker than one piece of cardstock so you may have to work with your die-cutting sandwich if you cannot just use your regular 2 cutting plates.

6.  Take one of the evergreen tree die-cuts provided in the kit and fussy-cut off the three trees removing them from their land base.  Sponge Pretty Peacock ink onto the tree edges and surfaces (again for texture and depth).  Let the ink dry.

7.  Glue the trees to the left of the sunrise circle and trimmed their bottoms to fit the circle curve.  With Early Espresso ink, stamp a set birds flying near the mountains using the kit's stamp set. 

8.   Die-cut a 3-1/16" scalloped circle from copper foil to use as a border layer underneath.  Attached the copper scalloped circle underneath.  I was stoked with the results!  I really loved the look the foil gave!

9.  For your cardstock layers, cut an Old Olive card base, plus Pretty Peacock and Copper Foil pieces for added background layers.  My card base is 4-3/4 x 6-inches.  The other two layers are cut according to the amount of edge you want to shown between each layer.

10. For your patterned paper (dsp) card front layer, my card uses the kit's multi-colored rectangles envelope inserts.  

11. Next, cut a 1-1/4-inch wide Pretty Peacock band (length will be determined by your card front horizontal width).  Emboss with the Coastal Weave 3D embossing folder.  Adhere it to the card front dsp (see card picture for positioning). 

12. String three strands of hemp twine across Coastal Weave approximately 1/4-inch apart (see card picture for positioning).  Tie in the middle with a piece of twine to create the criss-cross configuration and then add more tied twine to make a thick knot for visual appeal. 

13.  Adhere all your layers on top of each other in this order:  layer 1 = Old Olive card base; layer 2 = Pretty Peacock; layer 3 = Copper foil; layer 4 = Dsp card front.

14.  With Pretty Peacock ink, stamp sentiment; let dry!  Add to a Pretty Peacock under layer. 

15. Finish the card by positioning and popping up the mountain-sunrise circle and the layered sentiment.  

 

I was super enthusiastic about my son's finished card made from a kit that I was originally super unenthusiastic about when I first received it in the mail!!  My son was super pleased with his card, but I wasn't super pleased that it ended up a little late!

Just an FYI, below is the kit's design version, using what I call the sunrise-mountain scene:

Joy to the World Wreath (October 2020 - "Joy to the World" Paper Pumpkin Alternative)

 I was really please with my first alternative card for the Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin October 2020 "Joy to the World" kit using the pretty Christmas rose flowers provided in the kit.  I had a little mojo going now, and I came up with some ideas for the wreath die-cut provided in the kit.  I thought I'd try my hand at another alternative card using it.

The pine needle wreath in the kit was so lightly colored that it was difficult to see what it even was...it really needed help.  I watched a few YouTube videos on completing this kit, and I saw that most were using the stamp set provided and stamping a new wreath with the leaf/ pine needle wreath stamp.  One particular video showed how to turn the stamp so that it fit best over the other wreath and did not cover up the red berries on the original...that was very helpful!  I used the wreath, the stamp set, and the red twine provided in the kit, but I added the other papers, loving the color combination from my first card, plus another "Joy" die that I had recently purchased from Stampin' Up.  I also loved the look of the first card's embossing folder so I thought I'd use that again as well.  Take a look at my finished card below:

  

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Paper Pumpkin October 2020 "Joy to the World" kit elements.  Paper/ Cardstock--Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Call Me Clover, Gold Glimmer.  Dies--Joy Dies (2020 Holiday).  Ink--Call Me Clover; Memento Tuxedo Black.  Other:  Paper--DCWV Kraft & Gold.  Hot Off the Press--Diamond Dots EF.  Pretty Pink Posh: red sequins.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6-1/4".

Thank You for the Delightful Gift!

I received a fairly unique gift quite unexpectedly...a cedar, chainsaw-made Christmas tree.  We had a family gathering a few weeks ago to celebrate two birthdays, and my son-in-law's mother was in attendance.  She is a collector of chainsaw wood art, and she brought a gift for me and my two daughters plus my daughter-in-law.  They were "carved" Christmas trees using a chainsaw to cut and form them from cedar logs.  The tree's branches were painted green with a bit of white snow gracing their tips and the trunks were the natural bark from the small cedar logs from which they was cut.  She had decorated each with miniature Christmas lights that could be all white or multi-colored by changing the remote settings.  What delightful gifts!

I needed a thank you card desperately and immediately.  I scoured some of the Splitcoaststamper challenges to find some ideas.  I used the Inspiration Challenge for an autumn color inspiration and found a Featured Stamper Challenge with a pretty autumn leaf card.  My mind was made up to do an autumn leaf card of my own.  I found some other challenges that would fit as well, and if I added green, I could finish Color Letter Z in the Round 9 Alphabet challenge.  

At this point, I remember a card by Liz Thayer that also had a leaf design, so I "borrowed" elements from her card to add to my card as well.  This is my finished card, a bit of a modified Liz design than from the Featured Stamper with two more added layers.  I finished the card off with an interior design to fit the outside and added a Chatterbox verse printed by my computer.

Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out.  I think my friend will enjoy her thank you card and also know just how appreciative I am of her lovely gift!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Papers:  Cardstocks--Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss, Gold Foil, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, So Saffron;  Patterned--Color Me Autumn (2014 Holiday), Typeset (2014-5 Annual).  Stamps: Holiday Cheer, Project Life (sentiment/ 2014 Holiday).  Dies:  Autumn Accents BigZ.  SU Embossing Folder: Hardwood.  SU Other:  Gold Basic Metal buttons; Washi Tape (names unknown); Dazzling Diamonds Gold Glitz.  Ink: Soft Suede ink distressing.  Size: 4-3/4x6-inches.

A Son-In-Law "Born to Ride" Motorcycle Birthday!

My daughter, Michele's husband has a birthday in July.  One of his big-time hobbies is riding his big, black Harley Davidson motorcycle whenever the weather is ready for him to meet the road.  I wanted to use my new Stampin' Up stamp, One Wild Ride, especially for his birthday, because there is an excellent vintage-looking, big, black motorcycle in this stamp set, in addition to great sentiments, such as the one I chose, Born to Ride.

Ingredients:  Darice cardstocks: Midnight Black; Kraft.  Darice Core-dinations: Patterned Cardstock-Neutrals.  DCWV Stacks: Foil/ Gold; Glitter Cardstock/ Black.  Darice Embossing Folder: Diamonds.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Versamark Watermark.   Stampin' Up products: Stamps--Born to Ride; Die--Sunburst Thinlit; Clear Embossing Powder.  EK CardCreator Corner Punch: Basketweave.  May Arts: Jute Fine Twine.  Kaiser Pearls: Black.  Computer-made verse.  Technique: Fussy-Cutting.  Size: 5" x 6".

The Card Assembly Story

My first step was to cut a 10" by 6" piece of black cardstock and crease and fold in half to form a tent-style cardbase.  Next, I cut a piece of gold foil 4-3/4" x 5-3/4" and texture-embossed it using the Darice Diamonds embossing folder.  This embossed gold foil was then adhered to the black cardbase, and set aside.

My second process was to die-cut two Sunburst designs. . .one in the Kraft patterned paper and one in the Black Glitter paper.  Instead of sitting them evenly on top of one another, I twisted them just slightly to allow the black glitter paper to peek out just under the edge of the pattern about 1/8-inch and adhered them together while in this "twisted fashion."  The edges of the rays will be uneven at this point, and and will need to be trimmed straight to the size you desire.  Mine are cut to 4" x 4-3/8" and trimmed so that the rays are as closely centered as possible.  I then cut a piece of gold foil the same size and adhered it to to the sunbursts to become their underlying mat, and now the gold foil shows through as rays as well.  I then cut a piece of black cardstock mat 4-1/4" x 4-3/4" and adhere it as the base mat for my sunburst set of papers.  This sunburst set was then popped up off the cardbase mats already prepared and adhered together in the first step above.

I wanted my vintage motorcycle to be black embossed, but I found with so much black in the image, it became muddied and unclear.  Following is what I found I could do to achieve a black embossed motorcycle using my MISTI stamping tool. 

First, I place my cardstock in the MISTI and aligned and mounted the motorcycle stamp onto my MISTI all according to the tool's directions and then inked up the stamp with Memento Black Ink.  I found that I needed to re-ink and repeat stamping the image at least three times to get a rich, black impression.  Second, while leaving my stamp adhered perfectly on my MISTI where originally placed, I cleaned off the black ink.  Next, I inked up the stamp with Versamark Watermark Ink and re-stamped over my image, repeating inking and stamping two times with the Versamark.  

The last step to finish the card front was to heat emboss the motorcycle by applying clear embossing powder to the wet Versamark ink and dusting off cleanly before heating.  I applied this same process to the "Born to Ride" sentiment.  After applying my twine, and I fussy-cut both the motorcycle and the sentiment, and popped them up off card front.

My final step, as is my cardmaking tradition, was to create an inside design and birthday verse that complimented the card front and the occasion for which it is to be given.  My verse was completed using my computer and printer.  I think Don will be very pleased with his motorcycle card!

A Visit That Was Special...!

A card to let my brother and his wife know just how glad I was to visit with them while vacationing in California.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake.  Red Glimmer paper.  Stamps--Gorgeous Grunge, Chalk Talk (sentiment).  Ink--Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler.  Punches:  Small Heart; Heart To Heart-small (retired).  Other products:  Dies--Spellbinders Nested Hearts-smallest.  EK Slot punch.  Zutter Corner Rounder.  May Arts: Twine.  3/8" Striped Ribbon.  Washi Tape.  Size: 4-5/8" x 5-3/4".

The Card's Story & Other Tidbits

My Mom and I traveled to Nevada City, California to visit my brother Mike and his wife, Diane.  I wanted to send a homemade thank you to let them know just how much I enjoyed my visit.  I chose a card for them that Liz Thayer presented at a card class over two years ago.  I made a few changes to Liz's original design, as I thought it needed more color and a bit more embellishing.  I added a new cardbase color layer and tag layer in Chocolate Chip, and to the Cherry Cobbler Gorgeous Grunge lines, I also added Early Espresso stamped lines to the Cherry Cobbler stamped lines.  I popped on a few extra red glitter hearts.  I liked my additions and think Mike and Diane will be surprised and happy to receive their card.

I had not seen Mike for over two years, and because of Diane's illness and recovery, they were not able to make their planned trip to Redding early on in my visit.  So, what to do. . .we went to them with clear instructions. . .no elaborate planning for meals. . .a pizza, a late lunch out after church, leftovers, and a good-bye brunch out at the Humpty Dumpty, my treat would do very nicely.

Mike has just finished his 1951 Chevy coupe, which is a beautiful car.  But for Diane's illness, he would have been showing it off at Redding's Cool April Nights.  Here is a quick peek at a lot of hard work. . .no wonder he has arthritis in his hands!

 

Mike provided us with a quick trip up Hwy. 49 to visit the area my father grew up in, Pike, which has a population of about ten if that.  The property is still there with a family-owned trailor, but the old homestead burned down several years ago.  I remember visiting the old homestead as a little girl when Dad's family went deer hunting—dirt logging roads, no lights, and no plumbing—quite the adventure!

My Mom and I were able to make a trip to the Folsom Premium Outlets to visit the Sketchers Store, which Mom had been wanting to do for over three years.  From Mike's house, it was only an hour drive each direction, rather than the three-hour trip each direction from Redding.  We both found several pairs of Sketchers we absolutely could not do without. . .shoes, give me more shoes!  We had a delicious late lunch at Chili's, which neither of us had eaten at since Mom left Arizona about ten years ago!  All in all, it was a great day, the weather was balmy in the mid-80s,  and we enjoyed ourselves a lot.

Our nights were filled with playing Mexican Train, our family game that my Mom enjoys a lot.  She generally wins for some reason, but this time Mike took it home!  The leisurely pace of this game allows time for lots of catching up, great conversations, and a lot of joking around as well.   It was a great visit, and I hope to do it again on my next trip down to visit Mom.

Feel Better Soon!

A good friend is under the weather and needs a little card to perk her up.  I decided to pull an old, but very well liked paper collection to use: Stella Rose by My Mind's Eye.  I like the blues and yellows, which makes it just the right combination for this time of year in the Northwest.  Sometimes, its a bit gloomy and rainy and sometimes the sun is shining with a 75-degree day.  Each day tells a new weather story, and I'm sure, from past history, there's still some wintery weather left for Mother Nature to bring, but today we'll throw in a little spring to remind us of what's coming!

I decided to case a little card made several years ago by my sister, Heidi Gonzales, (My Lil' Scrap Corner), but change it up a bit by enlarging it and adding a navy mat layer for a bit more color.  Enlarging the card allowed the card elements to be spaced apart more, becoming more visible.  I also wanted to make sure my flowered paper layer presented lots of the yellow flowers to coordinate with the golden-yellow polka dot paper.  My handmade paper flower is a bit different, as I added blue-green felt as an under layer, making the blues in my hand-dyed crochet lace pop.  (The lace was colored with Copic markers).

A number of Stampin' Up demonstrators and cardmakers are going on a little Girls' Get-Away Cardmaking retreat, and my friend (and my Stampin' Up upline) is busy preparing all kinds of yummy foods and crafting ideas for us to take part in, but is also feeling a bit under the weather.  I chose a Here For You sentiment to let my friend know that if she needs any help preparing before we go, or whatever, I am ready to pitch in, as we want her to spend time recuperating and not wearing herself out.  I think she will enjoy her little card from me.

Below is the finished inside of the card, designed to coordinate with the outside, with a little feel better soon verse made from me.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up (SU) cardstocks: Very Vanilla (base), Night of Navy.  Patterned: My Mind's Eye: Stella Rose - Hattie Boy Tapestry, Hattie Happy Bouquet, Hattie Buddies Argyle Dots.  SU stamps: And Many More (sentiment).  My Favorite Things dies: Poinsettia (blue-green felt), Photo Corners (inside).  Papertrey Ink die: Delightful Dahlia (leaf).  SU die: Flower Fold BigZ (newsprint - 2 sizes), Windows Frames (modified).  SU punch: 7/8" Scallop punch (flower center).  SU ribbon: Very Vanilla seam binding.  May Arts: twine.  Stash: 3/4" Crochet lace (Copic-colored), buttons.  Computer verse.  Size: 5" square.

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

I want to wish all those who take a peak at my blog a wonderfully warm and 

Happy Thanksgiving!  

I hope each and every one of you have a delightful day, enjoying good food and pleasing company!

My card was inspired by one originally designed by Misty Bradley over a year ago, and I thank her for that inspiration.  As you may know by now, I really like square cards, so my card had to be square, and I decided it needed a few more color layers.  I veined my leaves by folding at just the right angles and sponging these folds with Colorbox's Chestnut Roan to simulate the dinner-plate-sized maple leaves that fall in our front and back yards every year.  I also tweaked the papers used, adjusted the layout a bit, and added embellishments.  I just love the little wooden button and twine and decided it was just the right finishing touch.  I think my card turned out to be really warm, thankful, and encouraging, and I hope you enjoy it on this special Thanksgiving Day!

Inspired by Misty Bradley 2012 original.  Recipe:  Papers: Bazzill Dotted Swiss-Honey; Bazzill-Burning Ember/ Aqua; Stampin' Up Naturals Ivory (base), Early Espresso cs; Echo Park-Fall Fever: Trees & Stripe. Stampin' Up Punch: Open Scallop Border. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (sponging and distressing). Wrights Orange Citrus Twill. May Arts brown twine. Stash: wood button.

Christmas & Hot Chocolate Go Together! Tag Card #5

I just love this Stampin' Up stamp and die that creates a hot cup of...hot chocolate, hot toddies, coffee, tea, etc.  I made quite a few paper, ribbon, and layout changes to this tag, plus added a scallop border and embellishments.  I also had this lovely sheer snowflake ribbon that just absolutely begged to be used.  I didn't have a picture at the time I was making this tag, so I just ad libbed with the pieces that I had.  I was really happy with how my tag and card turned out.  Hope you like it as well!

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.Recipe:  SU stamp/die set: Scentsational Season (cup), Jolly Bingo Bits (snowflake). SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits, Snow Flurry Bigz. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, Scallop Edge Border. EK Punch: 3/4” Scallop Circle, Medium Scallop Photo Corner, Scalloped Scallops Edge Border. SU papers: Cardstocks-Early Espresso base, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla; Snow Festival dsp (scallop trim), Festival of Prints dsp stack, Silver Glitter paper. SU Ink: Soft Suede. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). Rhinestones. Stash: Cream crochet thread; Snowflake glitter ribbon (Michaels).

Merry Christmas Gingerbread Man! Tag Card #2

With my first tag card conversion under my belt, I learned I need to decide on the card papers and layers to go along with my tag before I assemble my tag because the manila background on most of the tags doesn't show off the tag well against the Stampin' Up Festival of Prints papers Heidi used.  This is probably because the papers use white rather than cream in their design.  On the first tag, I made the tag first and then  added a piece of Cherry Cobbler to back the manila to make it show up against the paper better.  Fortunately, I found that my Zutter corner rounder had the exact same shaped corners as the tags, so I was able to cut a rectangle slightly larger than the tag dimensions and round its corners to match the tag's corners.  It did not have the curved top, but the ribbon through the tag hole covered up this omission so it doesn't show.  

With this 2nd tag card, I, fortunately, have the exact tag die that was used, so I cut a tag outline of the patterned paper she used at the bottom as an accent.  This covered the entire tag, so I did not use it as an accent piece.  Instead, I added a strip of Cherry Cobbler accent and placed my scalloped silver glimmer on top.  Below is my 2nd card, along with Heidi's picture of her original tag.  In comparing the two, you can see the changes I made to develop my tag into a card!

  

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.
Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (gingerbread), Mixed Medley (snowflake), Teeny Tiny Wishes. SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 1-1/4” Scallop, 3/4” circle, Decorative Label (modified), Word Window. SU papers: Cardstocks-Whisper White-base, Gumball Green, Very Vanilla-tag, Cherry Cobbler; Silver Glitter paper; Festival of Prints dsp stack. Be of Good Cheer dsp. SU Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). SU Rhinestones (Copic color). Queen&Co. Twinkle Goosebump-green. Hug Snug seam binding Spring Green. SU Linen Thread.

Sister-in-Law Birthdays in October 2012!

Yes, you can believe it...TWO of my husband's sisters have birthdays in October and only one day apart, but several years between!  I so love fall cards, and I am thankful that I have a reason to make cards for this season as I do not send them for Thanksgiving!  I made the following two cards from a card kit designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  Heidi is a wonderful teacher, as she lets her "students" tweak and personalize their cards to fit personal preferences.  This first card became a square rather than a rectangle by enlarging it and adding a cream edge and ribbon embellishment.  The front sentiment has been changed to fit a birthday greeting.  I decorated the inside to coordinate with the front and added a personal verse or poem using my computer.  I hope my sister-in-law, June, likes her card.  Her birthday is special, because she shares the same birth date as my son, Mark!

And, the inside verse:

Happy birthday June...hope your day is very special!

Next is Judy's birthday...one day later!  Again, I was able to use a fall card from the kit Heidi Gonzales designed!  I only tweaked the size, making the card square instead of rectangle, and changed the front sentiment to fit a birthday.  The card's design remains true to the original...such a wonderful design!  Once again, I decorated the inside to coordinate with the front, adding a personalized verse.

And, its inside verse:

Happy birthday Judy...I hope your day is wonderful!

Moving Day Came... -:)

My daughter has made her move and I am already missing her!  I wanted to send her a special card about moving, settling in, and making her new house her home no matter how temporary.  I sound as though she needs help with this, but this is actually her fourth move to be where her husband's Coast Guard duty station has taken them.  The difference is that this move is across the country; whereas, her first three moves were all on the west coast either in Washington or Oregon...so at least within driving distance of not more than 7 hours!  So, maybe this card and what it says is more a reflection of knowing who she is and what she does each time they move!  I, of course, am already looking three years in the future for when she will return to Washington!

And, following are my thoughts for her and how I know she has handled being a military wife who has had to pick up and move...the process she goes through!

Dear Daughter:  I have named my card "An Ode to a Military Wife;" a fitting title for my message!  We miss you already and look forward to getting on a plane and making a visit soon.  The East Coast has some beautiful landscapes, and you will enjoy taking your 5th-Wheel out in search of the very best places!

A Little Thank You

Here's a little card I made as a thank you for gracious hospitality sent my way.  I also need to thank my sister, Heidi (My Lil' Scrap Corner), for lending me inspiration from a card she had made several years ago using a similar idea.

I used Mind's Eye papers, Bazzill cardstock, Papertrey stamps, and twine.

September 2011: A Birthday Follows Mine

It was time to make a birthday card for my sister-in-law whose birthday follows mine by just one day.  And yes, again, she would get a Copic-colored card.  I found this little Magnolia stamp that looked like Tilda was lounging back, low-key on a summer afternoon.  June lives in California territory where the sun still shines warmly and brightly in early September, so I thought she was perfect.  I colored Tilda's clothes to match the My Mind's Eye belly band that my little image looked like she was sitting on.  Love those corals, browns, tans, and greens.  I was pretty sure June would like her card very much.

(Heidi Gonzales: My Lil' Scrap Corner design: enlarged, modified and add-on to make it more me.)

Father's Day 2011 . .

I absolutely loved this card...saw it in a 4-year old Cards magazine.  I think it really struck a cord with me because my husband LOVES watermelon.  A Kansas boy at heart. . .what better thing to have than ice-cold watermelon on a hot summer day!  

I was pushed for time, what else is new, and needed an idea NOW...and there it was on the cover!  I just had to lift the idea and figure out how to make it since I didn't have any way to make watermelon seeds and I wanted our children's names on the rind (which the original card did not have).  I was at a crop and a friend, Sheila, graciously found a Cricut cartridge that had a shape similar to seeds in her stash, and she cut out the seeds for me...and I ready to go!

(I apologize for not been able to get the name of  the original cardmaker to give her credit.)

Coloring on My Own - Spring 2011

While on my trip to California, my goal was to get in more coloring practice.  I went down to my sister's store and I purchased a few of Heidi's card kits and decided to see what I could do with them.  I did enlarge some of the cards to fit my preference of larger cards, which I still seem to favor.  Here are a couple more of my woodless-colored pencil favorites:

Tilda the sailor - a Magnolia stamp

Swirling Leaves Tilda - a Magnolia stamp

Valentine's Day 2011 has struck...

It was time to make cards for the family for Valentine's Day.  I decided to start with my husband's because I often find make cards the suit a man are more difficult than those for a woman.  Some guys don't like ribbons and bows, etc., so that cuts down lots of your embellishment options.  Hearts a generally thought of as girlie, but isn't it nice that Valentine's sweeps that thought out the door.  So, my husband got lots of hearts for his card, but they became more masculine by being in shades of brown.  Here is the card I made for John in 2011: